Advice Please-- Is Music Haraam?

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Assalaamu Alaaykum

It is well known that the Prophet (peace be upon him) allowed the drum and even the flute to be played in his presence without ordering them to be broken or destroyed, so it leaves a question open. The Hadith referenced here also mentions ‘silk’ as being amongst other prohibited articles, however, every scholar knows that silk is not completely forbidden and there are allowances for ladies to use it freely as well as for medical reasons; buying and selling silk and using certain amounts for ornament and decoration are also allowed.

I have read a hadeeth regarding the permissability of playing the drum known as the duff, but not the flute, do you have references regarding this insha'Allaah

Also as far as i am aware silk is forbidden for men only and not women..could you enlighten me on this insha'Allaah

Jazakallaahu Khaayr

 

[Who Am I?]

As long as I can keep my Hendrix and Stones, I'm good with this...

 

[Perseveranze]

Cat Stevens left his multi-million Music career when he reverted to Islam. Although the majority scholars say that Music is forbidden (except for certain instruments) there are still some that argue that it isn't forbidden. This debate is all based on Hadiths.

I do not think singing is disallowed though, people sing Nasheeds all over the world.

 

[Just_A_Girl13]

What about playing the violin? And what if I only played in private or in front of women and mahram men? Would that be acceptable? I'm not trying to be annoying or nagging, I am just curious as to my specific situation.

 

[Just_A_Girl13]

Fatwas are usually made and issued by scholars in cases like these where such issues are not clear cut and are ambiguous.

What are fatwas?

 

[Tyrion]

What are fatwas?

Religious rulings/opinions given out by qualified scholars.

 

[Impey]

Peace be with you,

Before I discovered Islam and wanted to revert, I was seriously considering a career as a professional singer. It is my dream to become a singer and Allah gave me a beautiful voice. I was wondering if, as a Muslim, I could still pursue this career? Or would that be haraam?

Also, about musical instruments. I play the violin and I hear that musical instruments are less permissible than vocal music. Is this true? I want to become a Muslim but I don't want to quit playing the violin. Please help!

If as you say God has given you these two wonderful gifts it cannot be for you to just throw them away. I cannot see why your music cannot be entirely devoted to God and in and through it you can bring joy and beauty to others as well as perhaps draw them to God. I don't follow it closely, but there are a number of Gospel musicians who travel widely and give almost all the earning to Charities of various kinds - that to me is both good and a worthwhile use of your gifts.

 

[Impey]

Cat Stevens left his multi-million Music career when he reverted to Islam. Although the majority scholars say that Music is forbidden (except for certain instruments) there are still some that argue that it isn't forbidden. This debate is all based on Hadiths.

I do not think singing is disallowed though, people sing Nasheeds all over the world.

About 2 years ago this artist made another recording (I have it) after many years believing music was wrong. But if I remember correctly, he made a study of music or it might have been the Guitar in Muslim Spain and concluded that there was nothing to stop him recording. His point was that it is obvious that there is bad Music and there are bad situation where Music is involved.

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

If as you say God has given you these two wonderful gifts it cannot be for you to just throw them away. I cannot see why your music cannot be entirely devoted to God and in and through it you can bring joy and beauty to others as well as perhaps draw them to God. I don't follow it closely, but there are a number of Gospel musicians who travel widely and give almost all the earning to Charities of various kinds - that to me is both good and a worthwhile use of your gifts.

Did Jesus (pbuh) use use/listen or create music? praise god with music, like many do in some churches?

Also God gave some women beauty, do you think they should go show their beauty to the world? No she would respect herself and obey God to cover herself, and for her husband and those whom she is allowed i.e.father, brother, son etc etc...

Is not the word of God not enough to be used to guide people, to devote themselves to his commandments? to implement the teachings of Jesus (pbuh)?

Yes there are many gifts God blesses us with no doubt..

 

[Impey]

Did you read my previous post on this thread? Actually there are many reasons, some of them are those mentioned in my post, and a number of threads, and scholars, some even say singing is forbidden.

Yes I can see that anyone can invent reasons but are there any - what shall we can them 'official reasons' like the stuff cited from Bukhari?

I did look at the link you gave but I found this in one post:
"Those who advocate that music is ok are only decieving themselves for the first to sing was shaythan and shaythan circulates in the blood stream of those who listen to music often."

Well I am new here but what on earth does it mean to have Shaythan (Satan?) circulating in the blood? I used to sing a lullaby or a song sometimes to my kids when they were unwell to sooth and comfort them - surely I did not have Shaytan in my blood? I don't though like actually singing myself very much but does Islam teach that all those millions of Christians singing in church in Sunday have satan circulating in the blood also? Please explain?

I have a question now : D, for those who do listen to music, could you tell me would you give up the music for the sake of listening to the KalaamAllaah (Word of Allaah-Qur'aan)..please be truthful and also if you dont know, then try stopping music alltogether and start listening to the Qur'aan, am sure there you will recieve your answer..if you feel you cannot give up music for the sake of Qur'aan then ultimately that is a reason to give it up and a reasonably it makes it forbidden for you because it is taking you away from the remembrance of Allaah clearly...

Not being a Muslim I found this a strange sort of question. As a Muslim surely one cannot be listening to the Qu'ran all the time, there must be room for other things? Incidentally, did you mean listening in Arabic (how many actually understand it/) or a native language or perhaps it does not matter?

 

[al yunan]

Not being a Muslim I found this a strange sort of question. As a Muslim surely one cannot be listening to the Qu'ran all the time, there must be room for other things? Incidentally, did you mean listening in Arabic (how many actually understand it/) or a native language or perhaps it does not matter?

Not being a Muslim you are not expected to understand and even less to comment !:heated:

Most if not all of us here welcome questions :statisfie but few if any care for negative comentaries especially in matters that concern Muslims only.^o)

 

[Impey]

Not being a Muslim you are not expected to understand and even less to comment !:heated:

Most if not all of us here welcome questions :statisfie but few if any care for negative comentaries especially in matters that concern Muslims only.^o)

I this a rule of the Board, if so I was not aware of it? - I just took it as a reply to my post and I replied back, there seemed no hint that ONLY a Muslim could reply. I did not think what I said was negative as such - but are you saying that one cannot be negative about anything in Islam?

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Greetings of peace

Yes I can see that anyone can invent reasons but are there any - what shall we can them 'official reasons' like the stuff cited from Bukhari?

I did look at the link you gave but I found this in one post:
"Those who advocate that music is ok are only decieving themselves for the first to sing was shaythan and shaythan circulates in the blood stream of those who listen to music often."

Well I am new here but what on earth does it mean to have Shaythan (Satan?) circulating in the blood? I used to sing a lullaby or a song sometimes to my kids when they were unwell to sooth and comfort them - surely I did not have Shaytan in my blood? I don't though like actually singing myself very much but does Islam teach that all those millions of Christians singing in church in Sunday have satan circulating in the blood also? Please explain?



Not being a Muslim I found this a strange sort of question. As a Muslim surely one cannot be listening to the Qu'ran all the time, there must be room for other things? Incidentally, did you mean listening in Arabic (how many actually understand it/) or a native language or perhaps it does not matter?

Thank you for the reply i appreciate it..

Firslty the music i was referring to was of that which contains musical instruments, a lullaby is not dangerous nor is it something by the shaytaan/satin..So the brother who posted the quote you quoted, it has nothing to do with lullabies etc..
But i think what the brother did mean is for that music where people get addicted to, which motivates them, pumps them up etc.. takes one away from the remembrance of his creator..

The stuff cited by Bukhaari? which stuff? please elaborate..sorry i didnt understand.

I apologise that you found the question strange, actually as a muslim one would be adviced to humble themselves, listening and reciting the Qur'aan encourages and softens the heart, im not sure you would understand but no worries.. It is encouraged to learn the language of the Qur'aan, but even those who do not understand still find peace within it, and so yes it does matter, when we recite certain words in our daily prayers, it is encourages to understand what we are saying. Same would be adviced for those who study the bible, the original language wasnt english, how many actually understand it? do you not praise your lord in the original language of Jesus (pbuh) ?

And so nope, shaytaan isnt running in your blood, however, i think without taking another quote from another thread and quoting it here, i advice you to ask the individual themselves, they will explain it further..

.. peace ..

 

[Impey]

Did Jesus (pbuh) use use/listen or create music? praise god with music, like many do in some churches?

Also God gave some women beauty, do you think they should go show their beauty to the world? No she would respect herself and obey God to cover herself, and for her husband and those whom she is allowed i.e.father, brother, son etc etc...

Is not the word of God not enough to be used to guide people, to devote themselves to his commandments? to implement the teachings of Jesus (pbuh)?

Yes there are many gifts God blesses us with no doubt..

Thanks for that interesting question and I did a search and the only recorded case of Jesus and Music I found was that he and his disciples sang a hymn on their way to the mount of Olives.

Well I cannot say if the Word of God is 'enough' as such though I am not quite sure what you mean for no scriptures tell you how to build bridges, or water treatment works or design a drug or any number of things - so on second thoughts the word of God is not enough. Or perhaps you mean as a sort of moral guide? Yes, I think you are right that if there is a God he gives gifts but would they not be for use in his service, not just for ourselves?

 

[Impey]

Greetings of peace. The stuff cited by Bukhaari? which stuff? please elaborate..sorry i didnt understand.

Well I had a look around the web and there is plenty of Islamic stuff on Music and lots of elaborate (to me that is) but it all seemed to be people making up reasons (which I suppose anyone can do) but you talk about these Hadeeth as being important so surely there must be reasons in there? Also I found a site called searchtruth dot com (sorry to put it like that but apparently to posy a link you have to have 50 post) and the word music does not seem to be in the Qu'ran though I assume there is perfectly good Arabic word for it (was there 14 centuries ago?)

To answer your last two points if I were to praise anybody is the religious area it would always be in my own language, I can't really conceive of doing it any other way and still feel I am deeply involved. Finally, on the 'satan in the blood' link you gave me I did try to ask the person who said it what it meant but because I am new I don't seem to have all the necessary rights or whatever so it would not let me do it - that is why I asked you (sorry I did not make that clear).

 

[Flame of Hope]

I have read a hadeeth regarding the permissability of playing the drum known as the duff, but not the flute, do you have references regarding this insha'Allaah

Also as far as i am aware silk is forbidden for men only and not women..could you enlighten me on this insha'Allaah

Sis, let's not see things in black and white. The words you quoted are not mine but Yusuf Islam's. Sister Just a Girl wants to become a singer..... so I thought Yusuf Islam's story and how he reacted to music, singing, musical instruments might interest her.

What Yusuf Islam says about music, singing, use of drums, flute etc. is based upon his study of Islam regarding the subject...... and he studied Islam deeply for many years. I think he probably knows more about the subject than us who are not into singing and making it our career. I'm sure there must be some hadiths regarding the permissibility of the flute.....otherwise he wouldn't have mentioned it.

As for silk, I believe there might be certain situations and circumstance when it might be allowed for men. I'm not particularly interested in finding out what those situations are.... obviously Yusuf Islam had interest in the subject and he seems to know something we don't.

Lastly, one must remember that we are all creatures with necessities. For each individual there may be different needs. Situations, circumstances differ from person to person. A rule that is easy to follow for one person may not be easy to follow for another. Furthermore, actions are judged by intentions. The rules and laws of Islam are there as guidelines..... and following them depends a lot on your capability to abide by them. Some people are granted the capability........ some are not.

Each person thus has to make his own decision an which would be the best course to follow for himself/herself.

I personally don't consider music to be haraam. Movies, documentaries and advertisements would be extremely ineffective and dull without music. There are advantages to music that cannot be denied..... it uplifts the spirit, cheers you up and makes watching movies enjoyable. Think about the movie "The Message"......which is about ISLAM...... undoubtedly the makers of the movie could not do without adding in the background music.

 

[جوري]

I did not think what I said was negative as such - but are you saying that one cannot be negative about anything in Islam?

you can of course, this is the wrong board for it.. plenty of cesspools out there where you can purge your soul of hatred to satisfaction and be applauded for it. This forum isn't for that purpose though.. so perhaps you can join a group that is more suited for your interests?


best,

 

[al yunan]

I this a rule of the Board, if so I was not aware of it? - I just took it as a reply to my post and I replied back, there seemed no hint that ONLY a Muslim could reply. I did not think what I said was negative as such - but are you saying that one cannot be negative about anything in Islam?

Firstly as far as I'm aware there is no such rule. My quote was literal for it's a complicated matter.
Secondly all members usually reply to every thing should they have something to add or comment but in this instance your reply seemed condecending thus my reaction.
Thirdly about negative sayings concerning Islam, I'm not aware of what the limits of the Board are but as for individual Muslims members I can only speak for my self; I don't take kindly to unjust,unflatering,overcritical,slanderous and unfounded statements against Islam.
I have also been following your posts.

Masalam

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Thanks for that interesting question and I did a search and the only recorded case of Jesus and Music I found was that he and his disciples sang a hymn on their way to the mount of Olives.

Well I cannot say if the Word of God is 'enough' as such though I am not quite sure what you mean for no scriptures tell you how to build bridges, or water treatment works or design a drug or any number of things - so on second thoughts the word of God is not enough. Or perhaps you mean as a sort of moral guide? Yes, I think you are right that if there is a God he gives gifts but would they not be for use in his service, not just for ourselves?

Your are most welcome.

Well, God is the creator of you and myself and everyone in this whole wide world, he is the one who taught us everything, so i would say his message is enough, do you not believe that believing in him and his commandments and then obeying them will lead to success?

Yes, ofcourse one would use it for his service.. For example an individual may be gifted with kindness and so will use it to be kind to be people, another is given money, do you think he should use it all among himself? What about those who are poor and need desperate help? in other words he wouldnt use it for himself, he would use for the sake of mankind, which is for the pleasure of the creator.

Is there anything that music has benefited one for the sake of his creator? by music i dont mean singing...i dont mean hip hop n r n b and what not:\ i mean does the creator not know what it is better for his creation? or do we know better?

And yes i am not denying that people have beautiful voice as a gift..even a women is not permitted to recite the Qur'aan infront of a man she is not related to in any way meaning a strange man to her.. etc..

 

[Ğħαrєєвαħ]

Editt.............................